Saturday on NBC-12: HELPing Homeless Students fundraising telethon

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- On Saturday from 6-6:30 p.m., First Coast News will hold a phone bank/telethon on NBC-12 to help raise funds for more than 1,600 students classified as homeless in Duval County Public schools.

During those times, you can call (904) 632-1200 to donate.

The fundraising on Saturday also includes a 5-K run at the Landing that starts at 8:30 a.m. A celebrity basketball game at Paxon High School at 5 p.m. Artis Gilmore will coach a team that includes Sheriff John Rutherford, Duval County Public Schools superintendent Nikolai Vitti and our own Chris Porter. Chad Cushnir will serve as celebrity announcer.

The I'm a Star Foundation will collect funds that will be donated to the Duval Schools homeless student project.

A truck will also be at the Landing to collect needed items. You can find a list of those by clicking on this link.

These students manage to get to school each day, but often have no place to really call home at night.

A young student recently placed in housing underscored the importance of the effort.

"Now I have an address."

Leonard's Photography will take photos to chronicle the two students' journey over the next year.

The students say despite their challenges, they plan to stay in school, work hard, and hopefully find their way to college scholarships and decent lives.